Visiting Disneyland is always exciting, but if you or a family member has a disability, the planning can feel overwhelming. This is even more true now that the DAS process has changed. With the holidays approaching, I wanted to share our family’s recent experience going through the DAS interview and using the pass in the park. I hope this helps other families prepare and know what to expect.
For anyone new to this process: DAS is Disneyland’s Disability Access Service. It is designed for guests who cannot wait in long physical lines due to their disability. It replaces the need to stand in a queue by letting you wait virtually instead.
My Background With Disability Passes
My family was recently gifted Disneyland tickets, and since we have a child with a disability, getting disability accommodations at theme parks is familiar to us. In the past, we had no trouble getting similar passes at Legoland, Universal Studios, Disneyland, and Six Flags.
It had been a long time since our last theme park visit, and during my research I learned that Disneyland had changed the DAS process. I expected it to be the same as before, but it turned out to involve more steps than I remembered.
Learning About Disneyland’s New Interview Requirement
While looking up information online, I discovered that getting DAS now requires an interview. You can speak with a cast member through a live video chat ahead of time or meet with someone in person at the park.
I was not thrilled about this new requirement. I’m not a fan of interviews, and I also read that approvals can be more difficult for adults with disabilities. Families with children seemed to have better chances, which fortunately applied to us.
Even though the video chat option exists, I decided to do the interview in person. My hope was that the in-park process would be more straightforward, especially during a busy holiday week. Since I did not use the virtual interview, I cannot speak to that experience.
Arriving at Disneyland Before the Interview
We planned our visit to Disneyland to be a few days before Thanksgiving. I left early hoping to beat the crowds before the 8 AM opening. I honestly thought Disneyland might be a little emptier with how expensive everything has become lately, but…
Nope.
The parking structure was busier than I expected. I ended up parking shortly after 8 AM and headed straight to the Accessibility Services Kiosk. While waiting, I read and accepted the Terms and Conditions through the Disneyland app. The line moved quickly, and before long, it was our turn.
When the Interview Took a Turn
At the beginning of the interview, I felt calm. I mean, we do have a child with a disability, and I was not worried about explaining our situation. However, as the interviewer asked questions, I began to sense some doubt from them. I realized my answers probably sounded too vague, not using terms that they were expecting.
When the cast member asked things like:
- “How does your child handle waiting in line?”
- “How do they do around crowds or in tight spaces?”
…I gave simple answers like, “My child sometimes takes up others’ personal space” or “They like to move around a lot.”
These statements were true, but they did not give the interviewer enough information to understand our child’s specific needs.
That’s when I handed things over to my wife. She manages all the services, therapies, and programs our child attends, and she knew the exact terminology to use. Once she explained our child’s needs clearly and specifically, the approval came quickly.
Within minutes, the DAS pass was enabled on our Disneyland app.
A Key Point That Stood Out
During the conversation, the interviewer emphasized something that stuck with me:
The DAS pass is for our child, and we are never to use it without them present.
To me, that confirms what many suspect: people have abused this benefit in the past, treating it like a free lightning lane to skip lines. That’s not what DAS is for, and misuse makes the process harder for families who truly rely on it.
Using DAS in the Park
Once approved, everything was handled through the Disneyland app:
- viewing ride wait times
- booking virtual return times
- receiving notifications
- mobile ordering food
- navigating the park in general
The DAS return times were fair, and Disney even adjusts them to subtract some of the expected wait. After redeeming a ride, there’s a 10-minute cooldown before booking the next one, but realistically, by the time you scan in, ride, gather your things, and walk away, that cooldown is done.
Our pace was relaxed and enjoyable. Between rides, we explored, took photos, enjoyed snacks (including pineapple ice cream) and the atmosphere.
The Impact on Our Day at Disneyland
Our child was able to enjoy Disneyland fully, without the stress or discomfort that long physical lines would have caused. In many ways, this was the best Disneyland experience we’ve ever had, even compared to when we used to have annual passes.
I’m honestly not sure whether we went on more rides than guests without DAS, because we didn’t use the pass to stack rides or jump around. We used it exactly as intended, and even then, it made a huge difference in reducing stress and helping our child enjoy the day at their own pace.
By the time we finished the interview, entered the park, and started our first ride, it was only 9 AM. The entire process was smooth from start to finish.
Should You Do the Video Chat or In-Person Interview?
I can’t compare both since we only did the in-person interview, but given how painless and efficient it was, I would highly recommend it. We arrived at 8 AM, completed the entire interview process, and entered the park by 9 AM, all without any confusion or delays.
Would I Use DAS Again?
Absolutely. The system worked exactly the way it needed to for our family. I’m sharing this experience for others who:
- have a disability
- have a child with a disability
- are visiting Disneyland soon (especially during busy seasons)
- and want to know what to expect from the DAS process
Our day was amazing, and our child has already asked to go back soon, which says everything.
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning a Disneyland trip and unsure about DAS, I hope this gives you clarity. While the new interview requirement can feel intimidating, the process was smoother than I expected, and the pass made a tremendous difference in our experience. DAS isn’t about skipping lines… it’s about making the parks accessible, enjoyable, and manageable for families who truly need it.
For us, it absolutely did that.
johnro 
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